Menu

Month: May 2015

Before printing ruined everything, books were made entirely by hand. Parchment or paper for writing and illuminating the text, and wooden boards, leather and maybe some metal for the binding. This isn’t to say all technology is bad, but books don’t hold up like they used to. Now you can make one that will last long after you are gone.

Cheery thought, no?

Learning this earlier style of binding will set the beginner on the road of discovery and the advanced binder onto greater technical skill.

This is a fast-paced class where you will work steadily throughout the day to make a complete book measuring about 2.5” x 4” with 96 pages. The textblock will be sewn on linen cord supports and laced into the covers in a traditional medieval type of binding.

Student’s bindings after one day class

Student work from class in Seaside, CA 2014

The craft techniques are simple enough that you will be able to make more books after you take this class. A tools and supplier’s list will be provided so that you can make more books on your own.

It is best if you have some hand skills.

Tools and materials are included in the fee, you don’t have to bring anything unless you have favorite bookbinding tools.

BiblioForge is presenting a workshop at NIMBY, located at 8410 Amelia St., Oakland, CA 94621.
NIMBY has a decade-long history in promoting the arts and crafts of the 21st Century. Its industrial space has common woodshop, machine shop and gallery space as well as offering studio space to fabricators, artists and builders.